A key piece of the Canisius College men's soccer team's best start in school history, senior forward Gavin Falconer has found himself ranked among the nation's elite.

In the NCAA Division I individual rankings released on Monday, Falconer is placed in the top 10 in a number of categories. The senior is tied for the national lead with seven goals, while his 17 points are third in Division I. He also ranks ninth in the country with 2.13 points per game, while his 0.88 goals per game is the 10th-best mark.

A two-time MAAC Offensive Player of the Week in 2012, Falconer leads the conference in points, points per game, goals, assists (three) and game-winning tallies (two).

The Waterford, Ireland native added three goals to his season total this past weekend in Las Vegas. He has now recorded at least one point in six-straight games, matching the program's record - Giancarlo Gallo also accomplished the feat from Sept. 30 to Oct. 14, 1987. Falconer has also netted a goal in his past three contests, the longest run for a Griff since 2007.

Overall, Canisius ranks 13th in the country with 17 goals in 2012 and 15th with 46 points. The Griffs feature an attack that has five players with at least two goals on the season - no other team in the MAAC has more than three players with multiple tallies. Canisius, which also ranks 27th nationally and first in the conference with a scoring offense of 2.13 goals per game, has scored 17 goals in just eight games this season after netting 15 tallies in 19 contests last year.

Thanks to their strong start (5-1-2 record), the Griffs are currently ranked third in the latest NSCAA North Atlantic poll.

The Griffs return to action on Friday, hosting local rival St. Bonaventure. Game time at the Demske Sports Complex is set for 7 p.m.